Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa ligand and osteoprotegerin expressions on hyperglycemic wistar rats (Rattus novergicus) during orthodontic tooth movement

Objective: To investigate the differences of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and Osteoprotegerin (OPG) expressions between normoglycemic and hyperglycemic Wistar rats (Rattus Novergicus) during Orthodontic Tooth Movement (OTM). Material and Methods: This study was true experimental with post-test group only. Thirty-two healthy male Wistar rats, weighted around 200-250 grams, 12-20 weeks old, were used as OTM animal study. They were divided into 2 groups (n=16), normoglycemic rats (normal blood glucose 80-120 mg/dl) and hyperglycemic rats (>250 mg/dl) induced by Streptozotocin with a dose of 30 mg in PBS injection intraperitoneally. A NiTi closed coil spring was mounted between maxillary first molar and incisors with the light force 10gf/mm² in both groups to induce OTM. The studied animals were then terminated on days 1, 3, 6, and 9, respectively, and premaxilla was extracted. RANKL and OPG expression were examined utilizing immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. One-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD (p<0.05) were utilized to analyze the differences in the expression of RANKL and OPG between groups. Results: The hyperglycemic group on day 1, 9 rats showed a significant increase in the expression of RANKL, whereas OPG expression decreased significantly on days 1, 3, and 9. Conclusion: There was a significant increase of RANKL expression and a decrease of OPG expression in hyperglycemic rats as documented immunohistochemically.